FIXONICBefore you begin
Use this guide to replace a cracked or broken back glass in your iPhone 16. You'll need replacement back glass adhesive to complete this repair. After your repair, calibrate authentic Apple back glass using Repair Assistant.
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iPhone 16 Back Glass Replacement
Use this guide to replace a cracked or broken...
Apple iPhone 16
Moderate
45 minutes - 1 hour
Guide 177281
Licensed iFixit integration
This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.
Before you begin
Tape over any cracks
Remove the pentalobe screws
Mark your opening picks
Heat the bottom edge
Insert an opening pick
- Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass.
- While supporting the frame with one hand, pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
- Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.
Back glass information
- A delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume down button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
- Multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone.
Heat the right edge
Separate the bottom right adhesive
- Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and to the volume down button to separate the adhesive and release the metal clip.
- Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the left edge
Separate the left adhesive
- Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
- Slide the second pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
- Leave this pick inserted at the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the top edge
Separate the top right adhesive
- Slide your second opening pick around the top left corner and along the top edge to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
- Continue sliding your pick around the top right corner until you reach the Action button.
- Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Reposition the back glass
- Swing open the back glass to the right of the phone to separate the remaining adhesive.
- Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object.
- Remove the opening picks before continuing.
Remove the middle connector cover screws
Remove the middle connector cover
- Insert the point of a spudger in either cutout on the middle connector cover.
- Slide the cover towards the left edge of the phone and release its hook from its slot on the logic board.
- Remove the cover.
Disconnect the battery
Disconnect the wireless charging coil
Remove the back glass
- Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.
End of disassembly
Remove the back glass adhesive
Repair step
- Use the tweezers to pull the adhesive off of the phone.
- Repeat the previous step and this step until all of the adhesive is removed.
Clean the frame
- Wrap a microfiber or lint-free cloth over the point of a spudger and apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the cloth.
- Wipe in one direction along the perimeter of the frame to clean the adhesive residue.
- Wait a few minutes before proceeding to make sure any excess alcohol has evaporated.
Clean the back glass
- Apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to a microfiber or lint-free cloth and wipe around the perimeter of the back glass to prepare the surface for new adhesive.
- If any clips on the back glass are bent, gently straighten them with your fingers.
Orient the adhesive
- Orient your replacement adhesive over the frame with the larger blue liner on the underside and its pull tab in the bottom-right corner.
- Use features such as the camera cutout and notches along the edges to ensure the adhesive is oriented correctly.
Expose the bottom edge of the adhesive
- Use the pull tab to begin peeling the back liner off of the adhesive starting from the bottom, but do not remove the liner all the way.
Apply the adhesive
- Hold the blue liner out of the way and align the adhesive with the bottom edge of the iPhone.
- Lay the bottom edge of the adhesive into its recess in the frame, making sure the iPhone's spring contacts are aligned with their cutouts in the liner.
Repair step
- Continue peeling the back liner off of the adhesive while pressing the adhesive into place along the edges of the iPhone's frame.
Press the adhesive into place
- Use the flat end of a spudger to press the adhesive into place around the perimeter of the frame.
- Be careful not to touch the spring contacts sticking through the pink liner.
Remove the pink liner
Repair step
- Once the top liner is removed, there should be three narrow liners on top of the adhesive with pull tabs near the bottom edge.
- If you don't see these pull tabs, you may have accidentally removed the thin liners in the previous step. If the adhesive is clean and properly aligned, you may proceed, just be careful not to touch anything to the exposed adhesive until you are ready to install the back glass.
Connect the charging coil
- Prop up the back glass along the right edge of your iPhone, using a box or similar sturdy object to support the screen.
- Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the charging coil press connector.
Connect the battery
Install the cover
- Lay the connector cover on the phone so the hooks are slightly to the left of their slots in the logic board.
- Use your finger to press the connector cover down and to the right until both hooks slide into their slots.
Install the cover screws
Remove the final adhesive liners
- Use the blue tabs to remove the liners from the bottom, left, and top edges of your iPhone. Wait to remove the liner along the right edge.
Repair step
- Without letting the back glass touch the adhesive, hold the back glass over the phone so you can access the final liner along the right edge of the phone.
- Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the final liner along the right edge of the phone.
Place the back glass
- Hold the back glass above the phone and align it with the frame.
- Lay the glass straight down onto the frame and press until the clips engage.
- Press around the perimeter of the back glass to engage all clips.
Heat the back glass
- To help the adhesive bond, apply heat to the edges of the back glass using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's hot to the touch.
- Firmly press around the perimeter of the back glass.
- If you have screen vise clamps, use them to strengthen the bond of your new adhesive. If not, keep reading for more ways to secure the back glass.
Press the back glass
- If you have the box your iPhone came in, take the lid and place it on a flat surface.
- Place your iPhone screen-side-up in the lid of your box with the camera bump in its recess.
- Find something close to the size of your iPhone, but taller than the sides of the box. Stack it on top of the iPhone, followed by a few heavy objects.
- Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.
Repair step
- Place the iPhone screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
- Apply tape to the back glass to protect its finish.
Repair step
- Place two layers of coins or similarly thick objects on the tape along the edges of the back glass.
- Evenly distribute the coins and make sure they are at least as thick as the camera bump.
Repair step
- Stack multiple books or other heavy objects on your iPhone.
- Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.
